UR campus mourns after shooting death of rising sophomore

RICHMOND, Va – For the few students and faculty left on the University of Richmond’s campus this summer, Friday came with somberness.

Police in West Orange New Jersey identified rising UR sophomore Brendan Tevlin as the victim of a deadly shooting Thursday morning. Police are still searching for his killer, but said the case is being investigated as a homicide.

Family members said Tevlin, who was studying business at UR, loved playing lacrosse and was an avid surfer.

Friday, friends and family flooded social media with quotes from Tevlin and memories of his life in his home state of New Jersey. He attended high school at Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, NJ.

Teammates said Tevlin was on the club lacrosse team at Richmond. In email to CBS 6, a teammate said Tevlin was one of the nicest guys on the team and added that his smile was contagious.

All over social media, Brendan’s friends are expressing their sorrow.

Brendan Tevlin was everything that was right in this world, and the monster that took his life is everything that's wrong with it. RIP

University president Edward Ayers released a statement that read in part, “Brendan planned to major in business and was active in club sports. We have been in touch with his family to offer the University’s deepest condolences. Brendan had made many friends on campus during his first year in our community, and I encourage students affected by this terrible loss to reach out to campus resources, including the Richmond College Dean’s Office, the Westhampton College Dean’s Office, the Chaplaincy, and CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services). Even if you are not on campus this summer, please do not hesitate to call on them.”

Less than two months ago, two University of Richmond staffers died in a hot air balloon accident in Caroline County. While students continue to heal from that tragedy, some students said the UR family becomes closer in times of great strife.

“Sometimes tragedy brings people together. It makes you talk, makes you reach out more, it fosters love,” said Tenlie Godfrey, a rising senior at Richmond.

“It’s a bittersweet thing because they’re remembering the funny things, the positive things he brought to campus in the moment that it’s gone,” said Gwen Setterberg, who is studying psychology at UR.

Funeral plans for Tevlin will be announced at a later date, according to university officials.